CR Update Sept 4, 2006

CR Update September 4, 2006

Hi everybody.

After waiting for 1-½ years we now have a local post office box. Our address is
Apdo 164-5233, Nosara, Nicoya, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Write us. Send us pictures and copies of CD’s of music—anything you think we would like. Packages get held up in customs but compact discs (not in jewel cases) and photographs seem to make it through. Unfortunately, we will not be able to come to the northeast this fall, as we had hoped, so this can be another way we can stay in touch.

The pub-club continues to be a lot of fun. In addition to our regular weekend hours, we now open on request for groups of 6 or more. This past month, we had a horseback riding group, birthday parties, farewell parties and some late night groups. We are up to 105 members and we are getting a wide mix of people. The under 35 crowd are almost regulars, we hope— they are energetic and fun—one guy swam 2 laps naked just before he left. Irish car bombs are a popular drink. Joe’s Bloody Marys are also popular. I am now the main bartender. We will need a second person during the high season but for now, I can handle it, I enjoy it, and I get good tips.

We had a recent celebrity guest at the Pub, actor/director Tim Robbins. At the moment he entered and introduced himself to me as “Tim”, Joe came into the room and said “Mr. Robbins, this is a pleasure”. He looks like he does in the movies and he sat at the bar in a friendly relaxed manner. He may buy property in Nosara and we hear that his wife/long time companion, Susan Sarandon, will also be visiting soon. Coincidently, people were asking about the Rocky Horror Picture show, one of her early movies, which we had recently shown in our outdoor theatre.

I am teaching breathwork classes once/week at the yoga center. Attendance is low 1-4 people each time, but this is a way for people to get to know me and I am slowly building a practice. I have flyers at the pub and some club members have come to my classes. The Yoga institute is world-renowned and as a teacher I can take free classes. Generally I take one Yoga class per week.

I am working on arranging a nurse contract in San Leandro, where I was last Spring, for Oct Nov. There is work at Saint Vincent’s in NY but it takes 8-10 weeks to get a NY license—I will work on getting one for next time because I think 3 months in NY would be great. Here in CR, we continue to upgrade our paradise. The guesthouses are livable—some minor plumbing is still needed. Wait until you see the gardens!! With two regular gardeners and Joe’s direction, the gardens get better every week.

Hopefully my next post will be from the Bay area—please send your good thoughts that this contract comes through. As always, people should visit Joe if you are inclined. It is the rainy season where the roads are challenging but the clouds and the sounds of the rain are beautiful. Take care, Love Helena (and Joe)